How to Handle your Neighbours’ Conflict: Ethiopia’s Relationships with Sudan and South Sudan

Ethiopian-Sudanese relations have historically been founded on domestic goals of physical security, economic development and access to the water resources offered by the Nile. Apart from being an important neighbouring country, and despite a tumultuous history, Ethiopia has developed strong connections with both elites in Khartoum and in Juba. In order to promote security and economic progress in Ethiopia and the broader region, it has established an increased diplomatic profile through IGAD, the AU and the UN and independent diplomatic work. The secession of South Sudan and the demise of the long-time Ethiopian prime minister Meles Zenawi have been the most recent catalysts for reinventing Ethiopia’s approach to the region in order to prevent instability to threaten its national development.